The Khrushchev Thaw. The Shteflov family, in search of a better life, travels with a shipment of resettlers to освоїти the virgin lands. On the tenth day of the journey, a tragedy strikes: Pavlinka and Ales loses their mother. The children get off the train hoping to call for help, find her, and continue on. Contrary to the children’s expectations, the Siberian Lesogorsk becomes their new home.